The "Poverty Row Picture Show" is an ongoing series exploring the horror films of Monogram Pictures, Republic Pictures, and PRC, known as the "poverty row" movie studios of Hollywood's Studio Era. Poverty Row movies were marked by limited budgets, outlandish concepts, and questionable performances. While not great, there remains an everlasting charm with enough star … Continue reading The Devil Bat (1940) Movie Review | Poverty Row Picture Show #03
Category: Creature Features
20 Million Miles to Earth (1957) Movie Review | Podcast
A monster is taken from its homeland, promptly escapes, and climbs the nearest landmark. No, it's not King Kong, but a hungry space alien looking for a place to sleep. I mean, wouldn't you after 20 million miles? So heat up a bag of sulfur and put on your cowboy hat - we're doing as … Continue reading 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957) Movie Review | Podcast
Prophecy (1979) Movie Review | Podcast
Can you outrun a giant mutant bear? As long as you're faster than the guy next to you! Prophecy puts the camp in Camp Kaiju, exploring serious themes in very schlocky ways. Good messaging, bad effects; good characters, bad casting; good guy with axe, bad guy with chainsaw. Not to mention giant tadpoles and killer … Continue reading Prophecy (1979) Movie Review | Podcast
Jaws 2 (1978) Movie Review | Podcast
Wait, there's another shark? You better believe it! Because the town won't... again... So it's up to Chief Brody to shoot guns, fry fish, and save the day! Climb aboard our lil' sailboat as we discuss the troubled production - fired directors, actors' egos, rough seas - and ask, is this a poor Jaws sequel OR … Continue reading Jaws 2 (1978) Movie Review | Podcast
Congo (1995) Movie Review | Podcast
Amy talks, slurps martinis, and just wants to go home. Oh, she's also a gorilla. Behold a movie from the team behind Jurassic Park (well, except for that Steven guy) that begs us to consider who would win: a hundred gorillas or Laura Linney with a laser gun? Don't let Amy drink alone as we … Continue reading Congo (1995) Movie Review | Podcast
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966) Movie Review | Podcast
Godzilla's on island time until Ebirah and Mothra crash the party, while a terrorist organization enslaves Infant Island natives for their nefarious plans. But before things get too serious, the jazz music, teen dance marathons, and wise-cracking safecrackers will keep this breezy flick rockin' and rollin'. Plus, discussions on director Jun Fukuda and the film's hidden … Continue reading Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966) Movie Review | Podcast
Gamera, the Giant Monster (1965) Movie Review | Podcast
The debut of that other Big G - the brave, the super, the INVINCIBLE - Gamera! And that's with one "M", before you forget and wind up on the roasting end of his fire breath. Or maybe you'd prefer the Toshio approach to certain death: ignore every warning and run straight toward the rampaging kaiju. … Continue reading Gamera, the Giant Monster (1965) Movie Review | Podcast
The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) Movie Review | Podcast
Behold the notorious H.G. Wells trainwreck that's honestly too bizarre to ignore. A mad scientist turns animals into people, but are the real monsters the dueling egos of Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer? From onset witchcraft to the world's smallest man (inspiring Austin Powers' Mini-Me!) this is a film everyone should see to believe. Plus, … Continue reading The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) Movie Review | Podcast
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) Movie Review | Podcast
Here's this for a movie: a dinosaur is awakened by nuclear testing and rampages through the big city. It'll be a smash! Nothin' else like it... Friends, behold the film that roared its way into pop culture's radioactive kaiju heart, inspiring Godzilla and an entire genre! Not to mention putting Ray Harryhausen and Ray Bradbury … Continue reading The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) Movie Review | Podcast
Fright Favorites: 31 Movies to Haunt Your Halloween and Beyond by David J. Skal | Book Review
David J. Skal should be a writer on every monster kid's bookshelf. He has literally "written the book" on many topics related to horror and monster movies. As will be discussed next month, his The Monster Show: A Cultural History of Horror, published in 1993, remains a seminal text on the U.S. cultural fascination with … Continue reading Fright Favorites: 31 Movies to Haunt Your Halloween and Beyond by David J. Skal | Book Review
Camp Kaiju 